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Parents of autistic child appealing Boulder Valley decision against transfer to Broomfield school

By Amy Bounds Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
11/09/2012 05:56:46 PM MST

Updated:
11/09/2012 06:27:55 PM MST

The parents of a Broomfield boy with autism are lobbying the Boulder Valley School District for a school transfer, saying his Lafayette school poses a safety hazard.

Sam Felsenfeld said he and his wife pulled 9-year-old Jack out of Lafayette's Ryan Elementary after just three days because the school's playground isn't fenced. That's a problem, he said, because Jack often runs off.

"When we saw the playground, we were just mortified," he said. "We were so uncomfortable with him being there that we just pulled him. He has to be safe. That's priority one."

Jack originally was enrolled in Broomfield's Kohl Elementary after the Felsenfelds moved to Broomfield from California in the spring. But, the Felsenfelds said, they weren't happy with the education Jack was receiving at Kohl and asked to move him. Felsenfeld said Jack, who is largely non-verbal, is on the lower-functioning end of the autism spectrum.

They settled on Ryan Elementary, one of four Boulder Valley elementary schools with a program specifically for autistic children.

In his three days at Ryan, Felsenfeld said, Jack got away from school staff members "at least four times." The playground at Ryan opens up to a parking lot that leads to a street. The solution offered, he said, was to have Jack use the fenced preschool playground, which the Felsenfelds rejected as unfair.

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Jack has been home ever since.

The district agreed to provide a one-on-one aide for Jack, and his parents asked to return him to Kohl -- where the playground is fenced. The school's principal said no, so they applied for an administrative transfer. The transfer was denied, first by an elementary assistant superintendent and then by Chief Academic Officer Ellen Miller-Brown.

The appeal has now gone to Superintendent Bruce Messinger, who said he's still working through it.

Generally, according to district policy, playgrounds are fenced based on their proximity to a busy street or a housing development. A special education student's safety needs are addressed by increased supervision, according to the district.

Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, said a recent survey found that about half of children with autism either dart or wander. Her organization recommends constant adult supervision, chimes on doors and, to help students understand they shouldn't open a door, stop signs on doors.

Felsenfeld said Jack's tendency to run is serious, leading the family to get a handicap placard because he's considered a danger to himself in parking lots. Felsenfeld said the lack of a playground fence is "life or death."

"All it takes is one time, and he could be dead," he said. "That's just not a risk we're going to take."

He said he's received conflicting messages on whether Kohl can meet Jack's educational needs and is concerned that Kohl is refusing to take Jack because of a previous contentious meeting over his education plan.

At another meeting on his education plan this week, he said, the draft included the need for a fenced, grade-level playground. But it was removed because one teacher from Kohl said he hadn't tried to escape from the playground, even though others said he had, Felsenfeld said.

Frustrated, he posted an angry Twitter message directed at Kohl's special education teacher. Kohl's administration decided the message was threatening, he said, and he and his wife are banned from entering the school -- where their daughter now attends.

Felsenfeld said they would love to have Jack attend Kohl, but he's not sure that's still a legitimate option.

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